Illinois FarmLink and the Center for Agrarian Learning are teaming up to offer a FREE Land Access 101 workshop before Common Ground. If you’re a farmer looking to learn more about the basics of land access, we invite you to join us in-person for this morning workshop. Afterwards, head to Common Ground to network with landowners and connect with local support organizations. More information below!
Join us for our seventh annual Common Ground Gathering in northern Illinois!
Land seekers and landowners with pressing needs around land access are invited to this social and educational event.
Whether you’re looking for land to start or expand your farm business; looking for a farmer to purchase, steward, or lease your land; or simply wanting to learn more about land access, we invite you to come build community, connect, and find your common ground.
Common Ground – Northern Illinois 2024 is organized by Center for Agrarian Learning at McHenry County College, Farmers Rising, Illinois FarmLink, Northern Illinois Young Farmers, and The Land Conservancy of McHenry County. Each partner brings regional expertise, years of experience working with farmers and landowners, and a strong commitment to the good food movement.
Common Ground is generously sponsored by Farm Credit and Compeer. This work is supported by USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program, Food:Land:Opportunity (FLO), Lumpkin Family Foundation, and Builders Initiative.
Photos from the 2018 Common Ground – Northern Illinois courtesy of Maren Prokup.
Land Access 101
What: Pre-Event Workshop for Land Seekers
When: Sunday, December 8, 11:00-1:00 pm CT
Where: McHenry County College, Center for Agrarian Learning
Cost: FREE
This free pre-event workshop for land seekers is new this year! Join Illinois FarmLink and the Center for Agrarian Learning for a morning workshop on the basics of finding and securing a land arrangement that makes sense for you.
The workshop will wrap up around 1:00 pm. Then head over to Duke’s Ale House & Kitchen, a short ten minute drive, to network with landowners and connect with local support organizations. We’re excited to offer this full day of land access programming for land seekers and hope you’ll join us.
The topics we’ll be covering include:
- Pros and cons of leasing vs. purchasing
- Alternative forms of land access
- Assessing your farmland needs
- Evaluating farmland opportunities
- Developing a farmland search strategy
- Stewarding a good lease arrangement with a landowner
- General tips for the land access journey
- How Illinois FarmLink can be helpful in your search
No matter what kind of farming you do or what stage of your farming career you’re in, you can maximize your odds of finding a good piece of land by approaching the search with the same thoughtfulness and intent that you bring to your farming.
Registration is required.
